Shoelace



Jan. 30, 1940. D, B. MCDONALD 2,188,841

SHOE LACE Filed June 5, 1939 Inventor zzza. Mayan/@102 z By fizmaofizw A tiorneys which:

Patented JanQ30, 19 40 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOELACE Donald B. McDonald, Quitman, Ga. Application June 5, 1939, Serial No. 277,535

2 Claims.- This invention relates to a shoelace, the general object of the invention being to so make the lace that it will not become tangled when tied and there is no danger of its tip becoming detached.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement ofthe several parts to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in Figure; '1 is a fragmentary front view of a shoe showing'the improved lace in use thereon.

Figure 2 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the improved lace.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view of the spring member. Figure 5 is a view of the spring sleeve for holding the parts together. 7

In these views the letter A indicates a lace and the numeral l indicates an elongated rod-like member, one of which is inserted in each end of the lace so as to stiffen said ends. The memher I is slightly tapered from one end to its other end, saidone end having a'rounded head 2 thereon which forms an end of the lace. The small end is folded upon itself as shown at 3 to prevent said end from, passing through the lace. A 001- lar 4 is formed on the member in spaced relation tothe head and a spring sleeve 5 is pressed over that'part of the lace through which the por tion of the member I between the head 2 and collar 4 passes so as to press this portion of the lace tightly against the member I to firmly connect the member I with the lace. These members I will stiffen the ends of the lace and prevent said ends from passing into the loops B formed upon the lace as shown in Figure 1 which would cause tangling of the lace and by having the head 2 on the member I this acts as a tip for the lace and there is very little danger of the tip being detached.

The member I maybe formed of spring metal or stiff rubber or plastic material of a resilient nature or any other material which will make the member I resilient and still enough to stiffen the end of the lace.

Also any usual means may be substituted for the member 5 for holding the member I in the lace with the lace pressed tightly around that 5 part of the member between the head 2 and the collar 4. This collar with the head 2 prevents the band or sleeve 5 or any other member used for fastening the device to the lace frommoving endwise.

While the drawing shows the lace as of tubular form it will, of course, be understood thatit may be of any cross sectional shape, such as of flat construction as are mostof the laces now in use. I

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combina- 20 tion and arrangement of theseveral parts provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed asnew is: 25

1. A stiffening member for an end of a lace comprising an elongated member, slightly resilient, and having a head at one end with the member tapering from said head to its other end,

said other end being bent upon itself, the head 30 forming a tip for said end of the lace, a collar formedon the member and slightly spaced from the head and means for fastening that part of i the lace between the collar and the head to that portion of the member between the collar and the head.

2. A stiffening member for an end of a lace comprising an elongated member, slightly resilient, and having a head, at one end with the member tapering from said head to its other end, said other end being bent upon itself, the head forming a tip for said end of the lace, a collar formed on the member and slightly spaced from the head and means'for fastening that part of the lace between the collar and the head to that portion of the member between the collar I and the head, said means including a split spring band of substantially a length equal to the distance between the head and the collar. I

1 DONALD B. McDONALD. 

